We live in a world where we expect everything now and while this can be useful, it can seriously get in the way of our growth and personal development. Change is something that takes time… sometimes it’s a life’s work. It can’t be hurried and you can’t make it happen before you are ready for it.

You can go on courses and workshops, read books, listen to audio or watch video and all this will leave you feeling profoundly different. The bottom line is that no one can force you or make you change your life. You have to be willing, be prepared to put in time and effort, and give yourself the time and space to make mistakes. Otherwise all the learning, courses, books and audio/video are a waste.

I learned several years ago that in order to successfully help people turn their lives around and achieve their goals, there has to be a strong desire and commitment to the process of change. Sometimes it can be a rough ride… stamina is a useful thing to have.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who hasn’t felt that the journey has been worth the time and effort. Even when the destination isn’t quite ideal, you learn so much along the way that it’s always worth it.

It strikes me that the main regrets people have are about opportunities they didn’t take and changes they didn’t make. Of course we make poor decisions from time to time, but there is always some good learning to take away from it. Allow this to happen without beating yourself up and you’ll soon be on the right road.

You can also subscribe via email and receive my free eBook "7 Mistakes that People Make in Life... and how to avoid them" by signing up on the top right of this blog.

Technorati Tags: Change, change your life, decision, effort, goal, Goals, growth, journey, learning, Personal Development, poor decisions, regrets, stamina, strong desire, thoughts

I was thinking recently about the day that I finished working and moved into the world of being my own boss. I can remember the feelings well: excitement, fear, uncertainty and joy. I was taking a chance on something that I really believed in and although things didn’t move in the direction I had planned, I have never had any regrets over the decision. Indeed, had that decision been avoided or not taken, then I would not be the person who I am today.

I meet a considerable amount of people in my work who are in the position of making these kinds of decisions. Time and time again, once all the research and planning is complete, it comes down to a decision based on strength of belief and a gut feeling. I have never encountered anyone who has made a decision from this place who has ever regretted it. Even if things don’t work out, the learnings and understandings that come as a result of their decision are worth so much more than if they had chosen to do nothing.

Time and time again, people overcome their fears and step into the unknown and flourish. The people who don’t take chances very often find themselves looking back and wondering what might have been. For me that decision was one of the major points in my life and if I do catch myself looking back, it’s in joy and gratitude that I made that decision.

I’m certainly not encouraging impulsive or rash decisions; if you’re in this position then it’s usually a great idea to get some help - obviously I’m going to recommend life coaching now, but there are many ways of getting help and exploring these ideas. The people around you are often a great resource, although sometimes they are a little biased or protective because they care and do not want to see you fail or be hurt.

Technorati Tags: belief, decision, excitement, fear, fears, gratitude, gut feeling, learnings, Life Coaching, rash decisions, regrets, taking a chance, taking chances, uncertainty